"Immunization is the safest way to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases," Tehan said. "Parents who don’t immunize their children are putting their own kids at risk as well as the children of other people."

'A constant reminder' for parents

Parents who refuse to immunise their children will begin paying for the choice from today. The government will slash fortnightly family payments by $28 per un-vaccinated child as part of their no jab, no pay policy.#7Newspic.twitter.com/9VnbOnwuYX

The federal parliament passed the policy two years ago, and it eliminated a parent's right to "conscientiously object" to vaccination, except for children with certain medical issues or natural immunity.

The tougher vaccination laws were implemented in 2016 after Australian children under the age of 7 not vaccinated due to a “conscientious objection” grew from 0.23 percent in December 1999 to 1.77 percent in December 2014, the Independent reported.

Even more penalties for parents

Some Australian states bar children who have not been vaccinated from child care centers, either permanently or during disease outbreaks. Centers that admit them can face fines of up to 30,000 in Australian dollars, according to the same Times report.

The Australian government is seeking a 95 percent immunization rate of 5-year-olds.